 |
|
The lead-up to the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly election has witnessed a heated exchange between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both parties utilizing the 'red book' incident as a political weapon. The controversy revolves around a red-bound book presented by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during an election event in Nagpur, with BJP accusing him of seeking support from 'urban Naxals' and 'anarchists'.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh vehemently denied the allegations, stating that the book was, in fact, the Constitution of India. He also highlighted the hypocrisy of BJP's accusations, citing the fact that the RSS, their ideological mentor, had criticized the Constitution in 1949 for not being inspired by the Manusmriti. Ramesh further pointed out that the term 'urban Naxal' is not recognized by the Union Home Ministry, providing evidence of the ministry's official statement in the Rajya Sabha.
The BJP, however, remained undeterred, with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other party leaders reiterating their claims. They asserted that the book shown by Rahul Gandhi was a blank notebook intentionally designed to resemble the Constitution, further intensifying the political battle. The incident also brought to light the Congress's strategy for the elections, centered on the theme of uniting voters behind the party-led INDIA bloc to safeguard the Constitution from potential BJP-led amendments.
The incident triggered a flurry of accusations and counter-accusations, mirroring the broader political climate in India. The debate over the 'red book' symbolizes the growing polarization within the country and the escalating political stakes in the upcoming Assembly elections. With the BJP and Congress engaged in a fierce electoral battle, the red book episode serves as a stark reminder of the political divide and the lengths to which both sides are willing to go for electoral gain.
This incident also highlights the increasing use of symbolism and imagery in Indian politics, with both parties utilizing these elements to appeal to their respective bases. The 'red book' controversy, therefore, goes beyond the specific event and reflects the broader political climate in India, characterized by increasing polarization and a growing reliance on symbolic rhetoric.
Source: BJP's "Urban Naxals" Attack After Row Over "Red Book" At Rahul Gandhi Event